Felted Merino & Cashmere

History

Merino sheep derived from the famed Royal Merino Flocks in Spain, which were later introduced into Australia, where further selective breeding soon produced the authentic and even finer Australian merino wool. Australian merino wool was predominantly used for utilitarian garments, particularly for military uniforms and work wear.

Originally, cashmere was sourced from Tibetan goats and was manufactured into fabric and wool in Kashmir. Over time cashmere goats spread to other mountainous regions, and are now most common in Mongolia and China. Cashmere fibres have no more than 19 microns and are thus one of the finest fibres that have been processed for thousands of years.

Shearing process

Typically the sheeps and goats are shorn once each year and for the welfare of the animal, the sheep and goat shearing does not take place during cold climate winters.

Sustainability & eco-friendliness

Wool is a natural and renewable resource. Both merino superfine and cashmere wool are not as durable as alpaca fibre, since the sheep and goat fibres have a tendency to felt when washing or when sweating below the armpits. In order to provide long-lasting merino and cashmere knitwear, R.EH went through a tedious design development of felting the seamlessly knitted pullovers, hats and scarves. Through the felting process the quality of the merino-cashmere blend increases in value and results in a high-quality material that lasts for many decades.

Special features

The densely felted blend of merino superfine and cashmere wool is best qualified for outdoor activities, due to its windproof and water-repellant quality and due to having superior thermal insulating properties.

The soft wool and cashmere felt is itch-free, highly resilient and wear resistant, retaining its strength and unique properties for decades.

The felted wool blend is a renewable and environmentally friendly resource.

It is resistant to chemicals, ignition, shrinking and wrinkling.

Haptic

The medium thick blend of merino superfine and cashmere has an very soft and fluffy surface, providing a pleasant and itch-free wearing comfort.

Spinning mill – Italy

The precious blend of merino superfine and cashmere is sourced from one of the most renowned Italian wool mills named Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia, which was founded in 1850. The felted R.EH products are made of wool that is provided to Zegna Baruffa by the high-end spinning mill in Chiavazza, Filatura di Chiavazza.

Knitwear manufacturer – Germany

Finding a knitwear specialist in Germany, who produces small quantities for fair prices, is a rarity worthy of note. The sole trader Mr. Tatewos discovered his enthusiasm for producing knitwear whilst working as a translator in Leipzig. He moved to Japan to learn how to work with Shima Seiki Wholegarment® machines and since 1990 he works with these machines outside of Berlin. The 3D seamless knitting technology is a highly sustainable way of producing garments, as it minimises waste by knitting the entire garment in one process without seams in a three-dimensional construction on the knitting machine, thus reducing labour and material loss associated with cutting and sewing processes.

PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT
Development time for: 3 hours
Fittings: 3
Location: Berlin

PRODUCTION
Production time: 30 min
Location: Germany
Owner: Tatewos

FELTING: 1 hour

Handsewn Label: 5 min
Location: Berlin

WOOL: 55,70 €/kg
0,40 kg x 55,70 € = 22,28 €

FELTING:
1,50 €

BRAND LABEL:
0,16 €

HANG TAG:
0,10 €

PRODUCT BOX:
1,97 €

PACKAGING
0,20 €

TOTAL MATERIAL COST:
26,21 €

MANUFACTURING COST:
19,50 €

SHIPPING:
4,00 €

TOTAL PRODUCTION COST:
49,71 €

RETAIL MARK UP (excl. VAT):
49,71 € X 2,0 = 99,42 €

The retail mark up covers a part of the R.EH research & design time, production development, studio costs, utility costs, transportation, office supplies, maintenance and costs of the online shop, insurance, legal and accounting costs and marketing.